Alem had never experienced a day like May 16th before. Alem had gone to his father Miralem Hadzic’s burial earlier that morning.

Miralem had lost his fight with pancreatic cancer on May 15. Alem bravely chose to speak at his graduation ceremony in spite of the pain and overwhelming weight of his loss.

I was unsure about my ability to deliver my speech. Alem remembered, “I knew I had to, but I wasn’t sure if I could.

As he approached the platform, his emotions still raw from the morning’s farewell 45 minutes before graduation, his gloomy look and calm manner spoke volumes.

Undoubtedly, a few individuals were uneasy about Alem’s seeming withdrawal and silence. Until he started his speech, he had never discussed his father’s cancer fight with his professors or fellow students.

Even though Alem was clearly grieving, he was more determined than ever to carry on his father’s legacy.

Alem gave a speech that struck a deep chord with everyone in attendance despite his emotional difficulties.

His remarks moved the crowd to tears and a standing ovation since they were delivered with such genuine emotion and candor. He started talking spontaneously and without following the script.

Alem disclosed that his cherished father received a cancer diagnosis in January. By sharing his father’s experience, he hopes to encourage his peers to recognize their own drives and to endure in memory of their loved ones.

“I expressed my distaste for being up there, but I couldn’t abandon what dad had sacrificed so much for me to accomplish. Alem explained, “And for that reason,

I’m going to college and working nonstop for him every single hour of every single day. Alem was appreciative and humbled that his father, a Bosinia native, had come to America as an immigrant and made a living delivering pizzas.